JIC RELEASE NO. 8: Price Gouging Law Enacted; Curfew Law Enforcement

There remain three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guam. To date, the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has tested a total of twenty-six (26) cases of COVID-19. The Government of Guam has implemented its planned COVID-19 response to identify and contain transmission on island.

Bill 208-35 is now Guam P.L. 35-74
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed into law Bill 208-35, relative to preventing price gouging during a state of emergency. Guam P.L. 35-74 would freeze markups on the prices of goods or services deemed to be in short supply, or in danger of becoming short in supply as a result of a catastrophic event that prompts an emergency declaration. The executive order will place a freeze on price markups a day before a disaster and for no more than 30 days. Merchants will be able to cover higher costs incurred from air freight on the sale prices of imported goods that would normally be imported via ocean freight.

Merchants who violate that law may owe up to three times the gross profits on overcharged goods. They can also be liable for five times the amount of inflated services and rentals.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recommends consumers use email when communicating their price gouging concerns and other matters related to the OAG office due to the current operation status. Info for price gouging should be directed to Consumer Protection Division. Email consumerprotection@oagguam.org.

Curfew Law
In line with mitigating and containing the spread of COVID-19, the Guam Police Department will be enforcing the curfew laws in pursuant to Guam Code Annotated Title 9 Chapter 31-65.

As defined in Subsection (a) Curfew Hours for Minors:

Curfew Hours means:
1. 10:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day; and
2. 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday
3. A minor is defined as any person under seventeen (17) years of age

As defined in Subsection (b) offenses:

A minor commits an offense if he or she remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment on Guam during the curfew hours.
A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he or she knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment on Guam during curfew hours.
The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.

As defined in subsection (e) Penalties:

A person who violates a provision of this Chapter is guilty of a separate offense for each day or part of a day during which the violation is committed, continued, or permitted. Each offense, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500).

Large Gatherings
The current guidance on large gatherings remains in place. Executive Order 2020-04 maintains that large gatherings of 50 or more people in a single room or single space at the same time for social, spiritual, and recreational activities, including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events, parades, concerts, festivals, fiestas, conventions, fundraisers, and similar activities throughout Guam are prohibited.

The Executive Order also limits the occupancy of any place of business or public accommodation for which attendance is anticipated to be fewer than 50 people, and shall operate at no greater than 50% occupancy and no greater than 50% of seating capacity. This directive does not apply to retail establishments providing basic food and necessities such as grocery and convenience stores, hospitals, pharmacies, or other medical offices and facilities.

Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources
It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:

CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/
GHS/OCD website: https://ghs.guam.gov/coronavirus-covid-19

For media inquiries, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

P.L. 35-74.pdf

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.